downunder...

countdown...Come mid-April we'll be leaving on a jet plane for our big trip to New Zealand and Austrailia for Kiwiscraps big freestyle downunder workshop! Space is still available if you live downunder and want to join us for loads of fun! From what I hear, Kiwiscraps puts on the BEST events ever!

p.s. here's a sneak peek at the projects I'll be teaching...lots 'o pipecleaners, felt and stitching!

xoxo

boy that...

weekend went by fast. been playing with inks and yummy things (hence the photo above is my blotter pad that I keep to stamp off excess inks and use it as a background when I am colorwashing...love that pad!) part of this was for my love letter to my valentine. Was hoping it was as warm today as yesterday...was in the 80's yesterday...love that! But not so much luck today...felt like it was 20 degrees cooler and so windy. Went baby furniture shopping this weekend...so much fun and so many choices! Hope you had a great weekend! xoxo

better...

than flowers anyday! love me some Sprinkles cupcakes! Hope you all had a good Valentine's Day too! xoxo

this is what...

19 weeks looks like for me.

Had a doc appt. Friday and many family and friends were hoping to find our boy or girl...but i had a feeling that would have to wait until March when I have that special ultrasound where you have to drink a ton of water...

so on to the story...we go into doc room and no ultrasound machine (Dave was with me) and i sighed...not going to see the little bean this time...dave said don't worry...you never know...so doc comes in and no ultrasound but get to hear the heartbeat...that satisfied me...so cool! doc said...looks like you have a galloping horse. doc leaves the room and then drummer boy hubby (been drumming since he was 14) starts to do the same rhythm with his hands on his chest...so i got to hear the heartbeat twice! gotta love that guy!

just wanted to get that story down on my little blog to remember for a long, long time...hope it brings you a smile like it did for me (us)! xoxo

counting the...

days until the album "life in cartoon motion" is released by Mika (pronounced Meeka) in the US...March 27. This music just makes me want to dance...happy music with such a colorful fun website! take a listen on the MTV website or on this silly motorola ad He is being compared to Freddie Mercury and the Beatles...love both! "i can be brown, i can be blue, i can be violet sky...i can be anything you like" la la la xoxo

fun...

little trip to Scrapbook Oasis and South Coast Plaza today. Love all the new Basic Grey and American Crafts papers and goodies....also couldn't resist some Paper Source stamping goodness. Mailman was also nice to me and brought my order of colored tulle that I love oh so mucho. Off to live by the Paper Source motto, "do something creative everyday"! xoxo

oh happy day...

my brother made it safe and sound to japan! The great thing is that he was able to surprise his girlfriend for her birthday (happy birthday sweet chihiro). Glad they will be able to start "couplehood" (yes I know that's not a word but i like the sound of it). Chihiro is the one with the bow in her hair...adorable she is! Hope they had a bite of sushi last night for me! Looks delish! xoxo

check out...

my sweet, talented friend Ms. Rhonna Farrer (Rah-na Fair-er) in a video at Scrapbook Lifestyles when we were at CHA. Loved seeing the other videos too! Go and exercise your creative brain by taking a peek! xoxo

friends...

just love these photos...they bring me such great memories from an amazing time at CHA. Love these girls (Jamie Waters, Kelli Crowe, Tia Bennett, Renee Coffey, Becky Novacek, Rhonna Farrer, Emily Falconbridge, Tracy Kyle, Lisa McGarvey) (and not shown in photo Jenn Bertsch).

Loads of new products to look forward to...Autumn Leaves new products...loving Rhonnas new line, Fontwerks new stamps, tags and paper, Basic Grey, Making Memories, Heidi Swapp, Tinkering Ink, Hambly, ki Memories...lots of favorites but Love, Elsie is ranking very high on my list...the products are so fun and right up my alley. There are so many other booths that I wish I could've seen but just not enough time. Didn't take many photos but you can see all kinds of great photos here and here and here.

Was also able to meet David and Mary Roberts with Kiwiscraps! Makes me even more excited about our trip in April! xoxo

p.s Love those Pink Pineapple girls (last photo)! They sure do make me smile big time!

xoxo

just...

giving a shout out to sweet gals, susan and debbie for launching a new scrapbooking website called Freckle Friends! Met them at Scrapbook Oasis while teaching a class there. Wishing you loads of success and congrats to you both! xoxo

amazing...

time and memories! Had a fabulous time at CHA...worked in the Autumn Leaves booth. Love those gals...feel lucky to call them friends...such positive and fun gals...love that! The poster above is something that I'm really excited about that was anounced at the show! Can't wait to see in complete! Thanks to miss foof herself for asking me to be a part of it! More pictures coming soon! xoxo

p.s. the little sweet dreams door hanger on the poster was made by me.

CHA or bust...

off I go to CHA for a few days! Hope to come back with a few photos! xoxo

p.s. for those that don't know what CHA is...it's the largest craft industry trade show...can't wait to see all the new scrapbooking products!

good fortune...

love this fortune and love that my husband had it in his cookie from a work lunch and love that he saved it and brought it home to me! See the last number? 14...that's our due date...July 14 when that miracle will happen. Guess he knows that I scrapbook and that I love sentimental things like that.

xoxo

tag I'm it...

Miss t tagged me...6 weird things about YOU...think I definitely have a few to share...and my hubby has a couple about me to share too...

1. Supposedly I sew in my sleep...no snoring...just sewing...wish I were making a quilt...guess my foot goes fast enough to have made one for the jolly green giant.

2. I can wiggle my ears.

3. I tilt my head to the right when I look in the mirror or when trying clothes on. why? who knows!

4. My bed sheets need to be flat. If the bed is messy we must get up and remake right away...poor dave.

5. I LOVE the smell of paper...especially good quality books. (proof in the photo above)

6. Before falling asleep our feet have to touch...guess it's a sense of security.

Now I'm suppose to tag more people...any volunteers? Come on I shared...now your turn! xoxo

freestyle downunder...

The countdown begins...I am thrilled beyond belief to share that the incredible Kiwiscraps is hosting "Freestyle Downunder". Traveling to New Zealand and Australia is a dream come true...even better to go with my Freestyle friends Rhonna Farrer, Emily Falconbridge and Tia Bennett...and icing on the cake to meet new friends Nic Howard, Zina Wright (from Freestyle too) and Wendy Redshaw-Bruhns. The workshops planned make me wish I were the participant...paint, felt, stamps, inks and more...chalk full of goodness. Now how many days before April? xoxo

happy birthday & a hidden treasure...

birthday wishes for my hubby today! xoxo He enjoys taking photos so yesterday I surprised him with a short road trip to a place of photo inspiration! 200 photos later (between the 2 of us) it was so worth it and oh so inspiring! Queen Calafias Magical Circle was designed and constructed by Niki de Saint Phalle who was an amazing artist. Maybe someday we will see her works in Tuscany...never hurts to dream!
p.s. even jane small attended the birthday festivities! Did you find her?

a whole new look...

was proud to have figured out how to change my banner on the new blogger since I'm not that saavy with things of that nature. Surprisingly, it was fairly easy. Hopefully I will learn more about it by taking a photoshop class this year. I need the skills to go with the new program that santa brought. The new banner was spruced up with fabulous digital elements by my dear friend Rhonna Farrer. Thanks miss supastar-of-all-things-digital! Love that owl! xoxo

books...

I love books! When I was little I loved them so much I tried to eat them (or maybe just chew on them). My mom even has the proof...a mother goose book of nursery rhymes that has medical tape on the corner to cover my chew mark. Guess that one was extra delicious! I think I have always love paper...especially when it is good quality and smells good! Bought this one the other day and think it is my new favorite...colorful illustrations (computer generated) and a fun story. What are your favorite books for wee ones? xoxo

it's true...we are going to be parents...

to baby henkel debuting on July 14! We can't wait to welcome him/her! Oh happy day! Time to celebrate...but I'll be having the sparkling apple cider! xoxo

p.s. BIG congratulations to my dear friend, Emily Falconbridge due in July too!

a BIG hint to the changes to come...

my mom made these sweet cupcakes for Christmas Day to share our exciting news with my family. xoxo